Books: The Maid of Maiden Lane
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Amelia E. Barr >> The Maid of Maiden Lane
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"To die no more! To be like unto the angels! To be the children of God!
This is the end and aim of my desires, to be among 'the children of
God!'"
"Dear Annie, I cannot understand this."
"Not yet. It is not your time. My soul, I think, is ages older than
yours. It takes ages of schooling to get into that class that may leave
Earth forever, and be as the angels. Even now I know, I am sure that you
are fretting and miserable for the love of some woman. For whose love,
George? Tell me."
Then Hyde plunged with headlong precipitancy into the story of his love
for Cornelia, and of the inexplicably cruel way in which it had been
brought to a close. "And yesterday," he continued with a sob in his
voice--"yesterday I heard that her father had taken her to Philadelphia.
I shall see her no more. He will marry her to Rem Van Arenas, or to one
of her Quaker cousins, and the taste is taken out of my life, and I am
only a walking misery."
"I do not believe it is Cornelia's fault."
"Here is her letter. Read it." Then Annie look the letter and after
reading it said, "If she be all you say, I will vow she wrote this in
her sleep. I should like to see her. Why do you think wrong of her? What
is love without faith in the one you love? Do you know first and finally
what true love is? It is THINKING kindly and nobly. For if we GIVE all
we have, and DO all we can do, and yet THINK unkindly, it profits us
nothing. Doctor Roslyn told me so. You remember him?"
"Your teacher?"
"My teacher, my friend, my father after the spirit. He told me that our
thoughts moulded our fate, because thought and life are one. So then, if
you really love Cornelia, you must think good of her, and then good will
come."
"If thought and life are one, Annie, if doing good, and giving good, are
nothing to thinking good, and we are to be judged by our quality of
thinking, there will be a greater score against all of us, than we can
imagine. I, for one, should not like to be brought face to face with
what I think, and have thought about people; it would be an accounting
beyond my power to settle."
"There is no accounting. If all the priests in Christendom tell you so,
believe them not. Do you think God keeps a score against you? Do you
think the future is some torture chamber, or condemned cell? Oh, how you
wrong God!"
"But we are taught, Annie, that the future must correct the past."
"True, but the future, like the present, is a school--only a school.
And the Great Master is so compassionate, so ready to help, so ready to
enlighten, so sure to make out of our foolishness some wise thing. If we
learn the lesson we came here to learn, He will say to us 'Well done'--
and then we shall go higher."
"If we do not learn it?"
"Ah then, we are turned back to try it over again! I should not like to
be turned back--would you ?"
"But He will punish us for failure."
"Our earthly fathers are often impatient with us; His compassions fail
not. Oh this good God!" she cried in an ecstasy--"Oh that I knew where
I might find Him! Oh that I could come into His presence!" and her eyes
dilated, and were full of an incomparable joy, as if they were gazing
upon some glorious vision, and glad with the gladness of the angels.
Hyde looked at her with an intense interest. He wondered if this angelic
little creature had ever known the frailties and temptations of mortal
life, and she answered his thought as if he had spoken it aloud.
"Yes, cousin, I have known all temptations, and come through all
tribulations. My soul has wandered and lost its way, and been brought
back many and many a time, and bought every grace with much suffering.
But God is always present to help, while quest followed quest, and
lesson followed lesson, and goal succeeded goal; ever leaving some evil
behind, and carrying forward some of those gains which are eternal."
"If Adam had not fallen!" sighed George, "things might have been so
different."
"But the angels fell before Adam," she answered. "I wonder if Adam knew
about the fallen angels? Did he know about death before he saw Abel
dead? He was all day in the garden of Eden after eating of the fruit of
sin and death, and yet he did not put out his hand to take of the Tree
of Life. Did he know that he was already immortal? Was he--and are we--
fallen angels, working our way back to our first estate through many
trials and much suffering? Doctor Roslyn talked to me of these things
till I thought I felt wings stirring within me. Wings! Wings! Wings to
fly away and be at rest. Wings! they have been the dream of every race
and every age. Are they a memory of our past greatness, for they haunt
us, and draw us on and on, and higher and higher?--but why do you look
so troubled and reluctant?"
Before Hyde could answer, the Earl came into the room and the young man
was glad to see his father. A conversation so unusual, so suggestive and
cleaving made him unhappy. It took him up the high places that indeed
gave him a startling outlook of life, but he was not comfortable at such
altitude. He rose with something of this strange air about him, and the
Earl understood what the trend of the conversation had been. For Annie
had talked much to him on such subjects, and he had been sensibly moved
and impressed by the wisdom which the little maid had learned from her
venerable teacher. He lifted her head in passing, and kissed her brow
with that reverent affection we feel for those who bring out what is
noblest and best in our character, and who lead us higher than our daily
walk.
"My dear George," he said, "I am delighted to see you. I was afraid you
would stay in the city this dreadful weather. Is there any news?"
"A great deal, sir. I have brought you English and French papers."
"I will read them at my leisure. Give me the English news first. What is
it in substance?"
"The conquest of Mysore and Madras. Seringapatam has fallen; and Tippoo
has ceded to England one half his dominions and three millions of
pounds. The French have not now a foothold left in India, and 'Citizen
Tippoo' can no longer help the agents of the French Republic. Faith,
sir! Cornwallis has given England in the east, a compensation for what
she lost in the west."
"To make nations of free men, is the destiny of our race," replied the
Earl.
"Perhaps so; for it seems the new colony planted at Sydney Cove,
Australia, is doing wonderfully; and that would mean an English empire
in the south."
"Yet, I have just read a proclamation of the French Assembly, calling on
the people of France 'TO ANNIHILATE AT ONCE, the white, clay-footed
colossus of English power and diplomacy.' Anything else?"
"Mr. Fox and Mr. Burke are quarrelling as usual, and Mr. Pitt is making
the excesses of France the excuse for keeping back reform in England. It
is the old story. I did not care to read it. The French papers tell
their side of it. They call Burke a madman, and Pitt a monster, and the
Moniteur accuses them of having misrepresented the great French nation,
and says, 'they will soon be laid prostrate before the statue of
Liberty, from which they shall only rise to mount the scaffold, etc.,
etc.'"
"What bombastic nonsense!"
"Minister Morris is in the midst of horrors unmentionable. The other
foreign ministers have left France, and the French government is
deserted by all the world; yet Mr. Morris remains at his post, though he
was lately arrested in the street, and his house searched by armed men."
"But this is an insult to the American nation! Why does he endure it? He
ought to return home."
"Because he will not abandon his duty in the hour of peril and
difficulty. Neither has the President given him permission to do so. How
could he desert American citizens unlawfully imprisoned, American
vessels unlawfully seized by French privateers, and American captains
detained in French ports on all kinds of pretences. I think Minister
Morris is precisely where he should be, saving the lives of American
citizens; many of whom are trembling to-day in the shadow of the
guillotine."
"It is to be hoped that Jefferson is now convinced of the execrable
nature of these brutal revolutionists."
"I can assure you, sir, he is not. He still excuses all their
abominations and says Minister Morris is a high-flying monarchy man, and
not to be taken without great allowance. I hear that Madame Kippon's
daughter, whom Mr. Morris rescued at the last hour, has arrived in New
York; and yesterday I met Mr. Van Ariens, who is exceedingly anxious
concerning his daughter, the Marquise de Tounnerre." "Is she in danger?
I thought her husband was a leader in the new National Assembly."
"He is among the Girondists. They are giving themselves airs and making
fine speeches at present--but--"
"But what?"
"Their day will be short."
"What of the king?"
"The royal family are all prisoners in the Temple Tower. I do not dare
to read the particulars; but not a single protest against their
barbarity is made. Frenchmen who silently saw the Abbaye, the Force, and
the Carmes turned into human shambles three months ago, now hold their
peace while murders no less horrible are being slowly done in the
Temple."
"They are inconceivable monsters. Poor little Arenta! What will she do?"
"I am not very uneasy for her; she has wit enough to save her life if
put to such extremes; her father is much to be pitied; and it is
incredible, though true, that the great majority of our people are still
singing the MARSEILLAISE, though every letter of it is washed in blood
and tears."
"I am troubled about that pretty little Marquise."
"She is clever and full of resource. I have had only one letter from her
since her marriage, and it was written to the word 'glories!' She
seemed to be living in a blaze of triumph and very happy. But change is
the order of the day in France."
"Say of the hour, and you are nearer the truth."
"If Arenta is in trouble she will cry out, and call for help on every
hand. I never knew her to make a mistake where her own interests were
concerned. I told her father yesterday that it would be very difficult
to corner Arenta, and comforted him beyond my hope."
During this conversation Annie was in a reverie which it in no way
touched. She had the faculty of shutting her ears to sounds she did not
wish to take into her consciousness, and the French Revolution did not
exist for her. She was thinking all the time of her Cousin George, and
of the singular abruptness with which his love life had been cut short;
and it was this train of thought which led her--when the murmur of
voices ceased for a moment--to say impulsively:
"Uncle, it is my desire to go to Philadelphia," The Earl looked at her
with incredulity. "What nonsense, Annie!" he exclaimed. "The thing is
impossible."
"Why impossible?"
"For you, I mean. You would be very ill before the journey was half-
finished. The roads, as George will tell you, are nearly impassable; and
the weather after this fog may be intensely cold. For you a journey to
Philadelphia would be an arduous undertaking, and one without any
reasonable motive."
"Oh, indeed! Do you call George Washington an unreasonable motive? I
wish to see him. Imagine me within one hundred miles of this supreme
hero, and turning back to England without kissing his hand. I should be
laughed at--I should deserve to be laughed at."
"Yes, if the journey were an easier one."
"To be sure, the roads and the cold will be trials; but then my uncle,
you can give them to me, as God gives trials to His Beloved. He breaks
them up into small portions, and puts a night's sleep between the
portions. Can you not also do this?"
"You little Methodist!" answered the Earl, with a tender gleam in his
eyes. "I see that I shall have to give you your own way. Will you go
with us, George?"
"It will be a relief. New York is in the dumps. Little Burr having
beaten the Schuyler faction, thinks himself omnipotent; and this quarrel
between Mr. Jay and Governor Clinton keeps every one else on the edge of
ill-humour. All the dancing part of the town are gone to Philadelphia; I
have scarcely a partner left; and there is no conversation now in New
York that is not political. Burr, Schuyler, Jay, Clinton! even the
clergy have gone horse and foot into these disputes."
"Burr has a kind of cleverness; one must admit that."
"He is under the curse of knowing everything."
"Nevertheless his opinions will not alter the axis of the earth. It is
however a dangerous thing to live in a community where politics are the
staple of talk, quarrels spring full armed from a word in such an
atmosphere."
"I have accommodated my politics, sir, to my own satisfaction; and I
make shift to answer people according to their idols. I vow, I am so
weary of the words 'honour and honesty' that they beat a tattoo on my
brain."
"When you are as old as I am, George, you will understand that these
words are the coin, with which men buy office. The corruption of
courtiers is a general article of faith, but the impudence of patriots
going to market with their honesty, beats courtly corruption to nothing.
However, let us go to Philadelphia and see the play. That is what Annie
desires."
"I desire to see Washington. I wish to see the greatest of Americans."
"Let me tell you, Annie," said the Earl, "that there never was a man in
America less American in character and habits, than Washington."
"For all that," interrupted George, "there will never come a man after
him, that will be able to rob Washington of the first place in the
hearts of the American nation."
"Nor at this day can we judge him as he deserves," added the Earl;" for
he is cramped and hustled by the crowd of nobodies around him."
"I shall look at him, and I shall know him," said Annie. "George tells
me that he is good and handsome to look at."
"On horseback," continued the Earl, "there is none like him; he is the
ideally perfect cavalier--graceful, dignified, commanding. Indeed so
superb a man comes not twice in a generation. At Monmouth, where I
commanded a division, I remember him flying along the lines, cheering
the men and restoring by his tremendous enthusiasm the fortunes of the
fight to our standard. The grandest of men! You are right, Annie, it
would be a stupidity to go back to England without seeing him."
This was the initial conversation which after some opposition, and a
little temper from madame the Countess, resulted in the Hyde family
visiting Philadelphia. It was a great trial to the Countess to leave her
own well ordered, comfortable home for apartments in an hotel; and she
was never done asserting it to be a great imprudence, as far as Annie
was concerned. But the girl was immovable, and as she was supported by
her uncle and cousin, the Countess was compelled to acquiesce. But
really she was so ready to find her pleasure in the pleasure of those
she loved, that this acquiescence was not an unmitigated trial. She
suspected the motive for her son's eager desire for Philadelphia, and as
she had abandoned without much regret the hope of his marriage with
Annie Hyde, she was far from being disinclined to Cornelia. She had
accustomed herself to the idea of Cornelia as mistress of the beautiful
home she had made. She was an American, and madame loved her country and
wished her daughter-in-law to be of American lineage. She was aware that
some trouble had come between the lovers, and she trusted that this
visit might be the ground of a reconciliation. Without question, or
plan, or even strong desire, she felt the wisdom of making
opportunities, and then leaving the improvement of them to
circumstances.
So about the beginning of February the Hydes were settled in
Philadelphia more comfortably than could have been expected. A handsome
house, handsomely furnished, had been found; and madame had brought with
her the servants necessary to care for it, and for the family's comfort.
And she was glad, when the weariness of the journey was over, to see how
naturally and pleasantly her husband and son took their places in the
gay world around them. She watched the latter constantly, being sure she
would be able to read on his face, and by his manner and temper, whether
affairs relating to Cornelia were favourable.
In a week she had come to the conclusion that he was disappointed; which
indeed was very much the case. He could hear nothing of Cornelia. He had
never once got a glimpse of her lovely countenance, and no scrutiny had
revealed to him the place of her abode. Every house inhabited by a
person of the name of Willing, had been the object of his observation;
but no form that by any possibility could be mistaken for hers, had
passed in or out of their doors. He became ashamed of haunting
particular streets, and fancied the ladies of certain houses watched
him; and that the maids and menservants chattered and speculated about
his motives.
Every day when he went out Annie gave him an assuring smile, every day
when he returned, she opened her eyes on him with the question in them
she did not care to formulate; and every day she received in an answer
an almost imperceptible negative shake of the head, that slight as it
was, said despairingly, "I have not seen her."
A month passed in this unfruitful searching misery, and Hyde was almost
hopeless. The journey appeared to be altogether a failure; and he said
to Annie, "I am to be blamed for my selfishness in permitting you to
come here. I see that you have tired yourself to death for nothing at
all."
She gave her head a resolute little shake and answered, "Wait and see.
Something is coming. You have no patience."
"I assure you, Annie, I ought to have. I have been buying it every day
since we came to this detestable place."
"The place is not to blame. Do you know that I am going to Mrs.
Washington's reception to-morrow evening? I shall see the President. He
may even speak to me; for my uncle says he appears there, only as a
private gentleman. Cousin, you are to be my cavalier if it please you;
and my uncle and aunt will attend us."
"I am devotedly at your service, Annie; and I will at least point out to
you some of the dazzling beauties of our court--the splendid Mrs.
Bingham, the Miss Allens, and Miss Chews, and the brilliant Sally
McKean."
"And the lovely Cornelia Moran?"
"She will not be there."
"My aunt says I must wear a white gown, and I shah do you all the
justice it is in my power to do."
"I am always proud of you, Annie. There is no one like you."
"Do not say that, George!" The few words were almost a cry; and she
closed her eyes, and clasped her small hands tightly.
"What have I said, Annie?"
"Nothing--nothing--only do not flatter me."
"It is the very truth."
"Let it pass?--it is nothing." She was silent afterwards, like a person
in pain; all her childlike gaiety gone; and Hyde having a full share of
a man's stupidity about matters of pure feeling, did not for one moment
suspect why his praise should give her pain. He thought her objection
must come from some religious scruple.
The next evening however he had every reason to feel proud of his
cousin. She was really an exquisite little creature; angels would have
given her all she wished, she was so charming. The touch of phantasy and
flame in her nature illumined her face, and no one could look at her
without feeling that a fervent and transparent soul gazed from eyes, so
lambent with soft spiritual fire. This impression was enhanced by her
childlike gown of white crape over soft white silk; it suggested her
sweet fretless life, and also something unknown and unseen in her very
simplicity.
Hyde, who was dressed in the very finest mode, was proud to take her on
his arm; and the Earl watched them with a fond and faithful hope that
all would soon fall out as he desired it. He could not indeed imagine a
man remaining unimpressed by a beauty so captivating to the highest
senses. "It will be as we wish," he said to his Countess as they watched
them entering the waiting coach; and she answered with that smile of
admission, which has always its reserved opinion.
Mrs. Washington's parlours were crowded when they entered them, but the
splendid throng gave the highest expression of their approval possible,
by that involuntary silence which indicates a pleased astonishment. The
Earl at once presented his niece to Mrs. Washington, and afterwards to
the President, who as a guest of Mrs. Washington was walking about the
rooms talking to the ladies present. Resplendent in purple and white
satin and the finest of laces, the august man captivated Lady Annie at
the first glance. She curtsied with inimitable grace, and would have
kissed the hand he held out to her, had he permitted the homage. For a
few minutes he remained in conversation with the party, then he went
forward, and Hyde turning with his beautiful charge, met Cornelia face
to face.
They looked at each other as two disembodied souls might meet and look
after death--reproaching, questioning, entreating, longing. Hyde flushed
and paled, and could not for his very life make the slightest effort at
recognition or speech. Not a word would come. He knew not what word to
say. Cornelia who had seen his entry was more prepared. She gave him one
long look of tender reproach as she passed, but she made no movement of
recognition. If she had said one syllable--if she had paused one moment--
if she had shown in any way the least desire for a renewal of their
acquaintance, Hyde was sure his heart would have instantly responded. As
it was, they had met and parted in a moment, and every circumstance had
been against him. For it was the most natural thing in life, that he
should, after his cousin's interview with Washington, stoop to her words
with delight and interest; and it was equally natural for Cornelia to
put the construction on his attentions which every one else did. Then
being angry at her apparent indifference, he made these attentions still
more prominent; and Cornelia heard on every hand the confirmation of her
own suspicions: "They are to be married at Easter. What a delightful
little creature!"
"They have loved each other all their lives."
"The Earl is delighted with the marriage."
"He is the most devoted of lovers."
And there was not a word of dissent from this opinion until pretty Sally
McKean said, "A fig for your prophecies! George Hyde has loved and
galloped away a score of times. I would not pay any more attention to
his proposals and promises, than I would pay to the wind that blows
where it listeth; here to-day, and somewhere else to-morrow."
To all these speculations Cornelia forced herself to listen with a calm
unalterable; and Hyde and Annie watched her from a distance. "So that is
the marvellous beauty!" said Annie.
"Is she not marvellously beautiful?" asked Hyde.
"Yes. I will say that much. But why did she look at you with so much of
reproach? What have you done to her?"
"That is it. What have I done? Or left undone?"
"Who is the gentleman with her?"
"I know not. She has many relatives here; wealthy Quakers, and some of
them doubtless of the new order, who do not disdain the frivolity of
fine clothing."
"Indeed, I assure you the Quakers were ever nice in their taste for
silks and velvets and laces. The man is handsome enough even to be her
escort. And to judge by appearances he is her devoted servant. Will you
regard them, cousin?"
"I do. Alas, I see nothing else! She is more lovely then ever."
"She is wonderfully dressed. That gown of pale blue and silver would
make any woman look like an angel?-but indeed she is lovely beyond
comparison. There are none like her in this room. It will be a thousand
pities if you lose her."
"I shall be inconsolable."
"You may have another opportunity even tonight. I see that my aunt is
approaching with a young lady, if you do not wish to make a new
acquaintance, go and try to meet Cornelia again."
"Thank you, Annie. You can tell me what I have missed afterwards."
He wandered through the parlours speaking to one and another but ever on
the watch for Cornelia. He saw her no more that night. She had withdrawn
as soon as possible after meeting Hyde, and he was so miserably
disappointed, so angry at the unpropitious circumstances which had
dominated their casual meeting, that he hardly spoke to anyone as they
returned home; and was indeed so little interested in other affairs
that he forgot until the next day to ask Annie whose acquaintance he had
rather palpably refused.
"You cannot guess who it was," said Annie in answer to his query;" so I
will make a favour of telling you. Do you remember the Rev. Mr. Darner,
rector of Downhill Market?"
"Very well. He preached very tiresome sermons."
"The young lady was his daughter Mary."
"'Tis a miracle! What is Mary Darner doing in America?"
"She is on a visit to her cousin, who is married to the Governor of
Massachusetts. He is here on some state matter, and as Miss Damer also
wished to see Washington, he brought her with him."
"Mary Damer! We went nutting together one autumn. She came often to Hyde
Court when I was a lad."
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